Post by Zamoraaaah on Jan 19, 2009 12:11:48 GMT
by David M - BBC Sport (U1628513) 18 January 2009
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A46144721
How about Lee Cook for QPR captain?
Rangers are facing up to the prospect of being without Martin Rowlands for some time after he suffered what looked like a nasty knee injury during Saturday's 2-0 win at Derby.
He is due to have a scan on Monday, but no-one in the Rangers camp after the game at Pride Park was confident Rowlands would play again this season.
Gavin Mahon seems the obvious choice to take over as captain of the team, having previously worn the armband.
Damien Delaney has also skippered the side and Mikele Leigertwood would be a worthy contender, assuming an acceptable bid for him isn't tabled by another club during the transfer window.
Cook's form has been at best patchy since his return from Fulham, although that shouldn't be a surprise given his long spell on the sidelines last season.
Now is the time for him to really step up to the plate, and maybe taking on the mantle of captain would add something to his game.
Cook is passionate about the club, is now very much one of the senior players, and after the Derby game it was clear he felt he would have a particularly big role to play with Rowlands out of action.
Rangers are now likely to be without three of their best players; Rowlands, Akos Buzsaky and Rowan Vine.
That leaves them looking to other players for inspiration, and the onus will be on Cook - who has proved he can carry Rangers in the past - to deliver.
He hasn't been at his best but before recently going down with a virus there were signs it was coming together for him - and Paulo Sousa does like him a lot.
I think he would be a good choice as captain while Rowlands is out. What do you think?
An alterative to Rowlands in midfield is also essential if Rangers are to sustain a challenge for the play-offs.
Recent signing Liam Miller is proven at Championship level and Rangers are still in the hunt for Crystal Palace's Ben Watson, who has attracted some interest from Premier League clubs but still nothing concrete.
I prefer both Buzsaky and Rowlands to Watson.
But with Buzsaky out, Watson would already have been a very useful addition. With Rowlands now out too, Rangers' need is even greater. Watson would be an excellent signing and a more than decent replacement.
Rowlands' injury is a big blow for Rangers but they were given a massive boost this week when Vine returned to full training after 10 months out with a broken leg.
And the win at Derby was a step in the right direction.
Both sides looked as bad as each other to begin with but Rangers got a lucky break for Wayne Routledge's opening goal and never looked back.
Routledge had a really good game, although he won't always come up against full-backs as generous as Mo Camara.
There's no disgrace in being outpaced by one of the quickest wingers around, but to consistently show the byline to Wayne Routledge of all people rather than show him inside was inexplicable.
Routledge took full advantage and if he can produce that kind of form consistently he'll be a key man in the second half of the season.
He's another player Rangers will be looking to with Rowlands out, and the early signs are good.
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A46144721
How about Lee Cook for QPR captain?
Rangers are facing up to the prospect of being without Martin Rowlands for some time after he suffered what looked like a nasty knee injury during Saturday's 2-0 win at Derby.
He is due to have a scan on Monday, but no-one in the Rangers camp after the game at Pride Park was confident Rowlands would play again this season.
Gavin Mahon seems the obvious choice to take over as captain of the team, having previously worn the armband.
Damien Delaney has also skippered the side and Mikele Leigertwood would be a worthy contender, assuming an acceptable bid for him isn't tabled by another club during the transfer window.
Cook's form has been at best patchy since his return from Fulham, although that shouldn't be a surprise given his long spell on the sidelines last season.
Now is the time for him to really step up to the plate, and maybe taking on the mantle of captain would add something to his game.
Cook is passionate about the club, is now very much one of the senior players, and after the Derby game it was clear he felt he would have a particularly big role to play with Rowlands out of action.
Rangers are now likely to be without three of their best players; Rowlands, Akos Buzsaky and Rowan Vine.
That leaves them looking to other players for inspiration, and the onus will be on Cook - who has proved he can carry Rangers in the past - to deliver.
He hasn't been at his best but before recently going down with a virus there were signs it was coming together for him - and Paulo Sousa does like him a lot.
I think he would be a good choice as captain while Rowlands is out. What do you think?
An alterative to Rowlands in midfield is also essential if Rangers are to sustain a challenge for the play-offs.
Recent signing Liam Miller is proven at Championship level and Rangers are still in the hunt for Crystal Palace's Ben Watson, who has attracted some interest from Premier League clubs but still nothing concrete.
I prefer both Buzsaky and Rowlands to Watson.
But with Buzsaky out, Watson would already have been a very useful addition. With Rowlands now out too, Rangers' need is even greater. Watson would be an excellent signing and a more than decent replacement.
Rowlands' injury is a big blow for Rangers but they were given a massive boost this week when Vine returned to full training after 10 months out with a broken leg.
And the win at Derby was a step in the right direction.
Both sides looked as bad as each other to begin with but Rangers got a lucky break for Wayne Routledge's opening goal and never looked back.
Routledge had a really good game, although he won't always come up against full-backs as generous as Mo Camara.
There's no disgrace in being outpaced by one of the quickest wingers around, but to consistently show the byline to Wayne Routledge of all people rather than show him inside was inexplicable.
Routledge took full advantage and if he can produce that kind of form consistently he'll be a key man in the second half of the season.
He's another player Rangers will be looking to with Rowlands out, and the early signs are good.